I love listening to air traffic control audio, as it can be mighty entertaining. If we’re being honest, most interactions that go viral involving New York air traffic controllers aren’t necessarily positive. So here’s an exception, to a degree I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed before.
In this post:
ATC wants to know what everyone is up to!
VASAviation has air traffic control audio from shortly before Thanksgiving, which was recorded over a 40-minute period. This involves a New York TRACON controller, handling approaches and departures into the region.
Generally speaking, air traffic control communication is short and to the point, without much small talk. However, one air traffic controller had a bit of spare time, and decided to engage with pilots. The nearly 12 minutes of audio from VASAviation can’t help but put a huge smile on my face.
Between essential communications, the controller takes it upon himself to ask each pilot where they’re from, what they’re up to, what they’re doing for Thanksgiving, etc. And it’s not just a one-sided conversation, but he really engages with them in the most hilarious way possible. You can listen to the audio for yourself below, and I’ll just leave it at that.
It’s nice to see people enjoying their jobs
I’m sure some people will say that it’s irresponsible for the air traffic controller to have this non-essential communication on frequency. While I would agree in general, I find this whole interaction to be refreshing to listen to.
For one, it creates a great bond between pilots and air traffic controllers, when all too often, there’s a bit of tension there (like with “fuel management is your problem, not mine,” dude).
Honestly, the way the air traffic controller converses with pilots is so out of the ordinary that I think just about all the pilots on frequency couldn’t help but be downright confused and happy to have such a nice interaction, and you can tell that’s the case by how they “sign off” when they have to switch frequencies.
I am curious if this guy is always this friendly, if he was just feeling especially nice ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, or what. Because I feel like we would’ve known about him before if this was a consistent thing.
Bottom line
It’s not often that air traffic controllers in the New York area get attention for being overly friendly, so some recent air traffic control communication is pretty noteworthy. Kudos to this guy, what a fun and engaging person, in a world where all too many people just don’t try to put smiles on the faces of other people.
What do you make of this air traffic controller’s interactions?
Off subject:
What a great photo and viewpoint! Imagine the ships of white people from Europe arriving, beautiful lands, islands, big fresh water rivers coming from the mountains, Hudson, Passaic, Hackensack rivers.
I can imagine how beautiful and clean it was.
No way, I know who this is. Hands down one of the best controllers I ever worked with. I was skeptical at first thinking this was completely irresponsible of the controller to be doing but when I heard it was him, who could probably juggle one handed on a unicycle while working traffic, then whatever, those pilots were in safe hands.
Hey man, if you happen to find this post, it's JA. Sup!
Great post, Ben....I think we all needed this...!!
Did anyone else think Die Hard, welcome to the party, pal?
I work for Uncle Warren's western Railroad as an engineer and radio banter with the dispatchers, yardmasters, switch tenders, and so on can go from boring and mundane to feeling like your in a comedy club. There's very few females in our line of work except in dispatching and it's amazing how as soon as word gets around concerning physical attributes, even guys that are considered curmudgeon old heads, suddenly change both their patience and...
I work for Uncle Warren's western Railroad as an engineer and radio banter with the dispatchers, yardmasters, switch tenders, and so on can go from boring and mundane to feeling like your in a comedy club. There's very few females in our line of work except in dispatching and it's amazing how as soon as word gets around concerning physical attributes, even guys that are considered curmudgeon old heads, suddenly change both their patience and tone (LOL) when dealing with these physically gifted dispatchers, even if they're not good at their job. I always laugh at these guys tripping over each other along with themselves reaching for the radio.
It most likely takes the stress out of the job
Definitely made my day.
I agree that that type of communication creates a great bond between pilots and air traffic controllers. Both have extremely stressful jobs. It's nice to see something positive like that.
ATC is a very stressful job.
NY airspace is so packed it is even more stressful. Brief comments of levity reduce stress for all. Given the heavy workload and riveted attention, referring to it as a party could generate a chuckle.
definitely through a few pilots with questions about their plans over the air.
if someone can say the stuff they need to and get the social stuff it, go for it.
maybe he'll come on here and let us know what he really did do for Thanksgiving
What did you do for Thanksgiving Tim?
Did you roast a 767 with 10-K and earnings call transcript stuffings.
DeltaPlum sauce.
Green bean CASMrole.
And finally something United for dessert?
He WASN'T in a Breeze-y, (Jet)Blue mood, nor trying to Make America(n)® Great Again. ;-)
But, "(He) loves to fly, and it shows"
I love the part where he asked one of the pilots “What are you wearing, handsome?” and the pilot responded with “For you, my birthday suit, in two hours at your place,” and then the controller said “I’ll be wearing my maid uniform with no underpants” and then the sexy music started.
Well, that’s what we *should* have heard.
bow chicka wow wow
Love it!!!
EWR is not in New York.
Exactly. It’s… N’wrk.
Controlling the airspace around major metro areas with multiple airports must be extraordinarily stressful. This includes New York area airports, of which EWR is definitely one of the busiest.
EWR is not in fake Eskimo
The NY Giants and NY Jets agree.
Oh, and DFW isn't in Dallas, MCI isn't in Kansas, and the City of Atlanta gets pissed if you don't use the full name of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport :)
Dan, one thing is for sure, burnt ends are the best bbq.
Thanks Ben, this is actually fun to listen to. I wonder if the controller involved got cut a $10k cheque?
Kumbayah, my lord, kumbayah....
That could be considered racist. Do better!
Oh, Jess, c’mon…
No, YOU come on! Respect is CRITICAL, respect WILL be had.
Respect… your authoritae?
Shouting demands for “Respect” is portrayed in American films as being a stereotypical black persons stand point. Are you such a person Jessica?
Do you not understand that “Respect” has to be earned and can never be demanded?
For sure, some people have such a lot to learn about life.
Afterthought …. Just for you Jessica.
For those who are unfamiliar with the writings of George Orwell, he wrote amongst other things, Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Road to Wigan Pier and of course Animal Farm.
In Animal Farm, he wrote how it was the pigs who demanded respect, how their bullying, demands and gluttony, etc, brought about their eventual demise. A life lesson which some might benefit from.
Much can be learned from reading the...
Afterthought …. Just for you Jessica.
For those who are unfamiliar with the writings of George Orwell, he wrote amongst other things, Nineteen Eighty-Four, The Road to Wigan Pier and of course Animal Farm.
In Animal Farm, he wrote how it was the pigs who demanded respect, how their bullying, demands and gluttony, etc, brought about their eventual demise. A life lesson which some might benefit from.
Much can be learned from reading the words of the wise and there are those who post herein you would benefit greatly from doing so, yes Jessica?
…quiet, piggy?
Really 1990, that is no way to address Jessica, just because it shouted at you.
Quiet! Piggie!
1990, it is considered to be the first signs of dementia when you find it necessary to repeat yourself because you cannot think of anything else to say …. :-)
You poor darlink …. Xxxx